Area artists’ talents converge in Fitchburg

Tuesday

Jul 29, 2008 at 12:01 AMJul 29, 2008 at 5:07 PM

Pottery, paintings, sculpture, mixed media and visions unbound. All can be seen at the 73rd Regional Exhibition of Art and Craft, a juried art show at the Fitchburg Art Museum featuring the work of artists in communities within 25 miles of Fitchburg.

Margaret Smith

Pottery, paintings, sculpture, mixed media and visions unbound.

All can be seen at the 73rd Regional Exhibition of Art and Craft, a juried art show at the Fitchburg Art Museum featuring the work of artists in communities within 25 miles of Fitchburg.

Although the artists may come from different communities and share different visions, Sally Cragin, a spokesman for the museum, said she is struck by how many pieces share a common idea and can be displayed together.

For example, “Roosters,” an oil painting by Hing Wa of Medford, is an interesting complement with “Apocalyptic Chickens,” a mixed media piece by Eleonora Lecei of Lunenburg.

Photos are among the compelling works in the show, including Marlborough resident Ira Gavin’s “Winter Trees,” and Groton resident Diane Bunis’ “Drive by Ryan.”

Time of renewal

The pieces included in the show offer insight into the individual artists’ experiences.

For artist Kathryn Swantee of Fitchburg, inclusion in the juried art show is part of a long walk back to her art after an illness forced a hiatus. “I have always drawn, and always painted,” said Swantee, who worked in commercial art for 10 years before deciding to devote her attention to water color, now her preferred medium.

“Flower Sniffer,” a fanciful image of a cat investigating a flower, is one of two pieces by Swantee accepted in the show. “It will hopefully be part of a children’s book,” said Swantee, who said her two cats have inspired her to create a series. “I have seven paintings done so far…but I was ill. This was like jumping right back into everything, and everything is part is happening thing are happening quickly.”

Among other things, she plans to do an interview with Fitchburg Access Television. She is also teaching classes at her home studio, as well as at the Fitchburg Senior Center.”

Of the art show at Fitchburg Art Museum, she said, “I think it is a good opportunity for everyone to see what is in this area. You don’t have to go to Boston or New York. I love that more attention is being focused in the arts here.”

Scenes of life

Painter Jack Sikes of Holden, whose painting, “Hurry Up And Wait,” won first prize, traces the inspiration for the painting to a poignant, final vacation with his beloved dog, Skippy, a Springer spaniel. “We had had taken our dog for our ride, to the ocean…on the way back, we had stopped in Fitchburg, just to stop and get some water for Skippy.”

Sikes added, “I always had the camera with me, and it was close to the bus station there. I just started taking a bunch of shots, and later, I went through them. It just seemed like a real interesting scene.”

He added, “It had a lot of people waiting to do their thing. It was a challenge because there were so many people there.”

Another painting accepted into the show, “Urban Oasis,” portrays two women wearing headscarves in a city street scene. “ A friend of mine who is an artist, said, ‘You should submit these to the Fitchburg show, and so I did. I got lucky.”

Sikes is a barber by profession, getting his start while in the Navy. For many years, he owned his own barber shop, which he sold recently.

Now he has more time to devote to his art, but said, “I had never gotten into the gallery scene.” A member of Arts Worcester, he shows some work there.

“I have been painting all my life. I didn’t feel like the work was quite ready. If I am going to put it on the wall, I want to see that it’s done.”

If you go

The Fitchburg Art Museum’s 73rd Regional Exhibit of Art and Craft runs through Sept. 7 at the Fitchburg Art Museum, 185 Elm St., Fitchburg. Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday noon to 4 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors, students and corporate members. Children and museum members free. Free admission for all the first Thursday of the month, 4 to 8 p.m. Special tours and other activities will be offered as part of Fitchburg's "First Thursday" celebrations.

For more information, call 978-345-4207 or visit www.fitchburgartmuseum.org.